Nepal: draft of new constitution bans religious conversion
July 24, 2015
The largely Hindu nation of Nepal has published a draft of a new constitution that would ban religious conversion.
According to the draft, "no one shall attempt to change or convert someone from one religion to another, or disturb/jeopardise the religion of others, and such acts/activities shall be punishable by law."
Father Silas Bogati, vicar general of the Apostolic Vicariate of Nepal, told Catholic News Service that "Christianity is not recognized as a religion here, unlike Hinduism, Buddhism or Islam."
"Hence, churches cannot be registered as a legal body, and we cannot buy property," he added. "We are severely handicapped by this."
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Further information:
- Nepal bans religious conversion in new draft constitution (World Magazine)
- Anti-Proselytizing Provision In Nepal Draft Constitution Creates Controversy (Religion Clause)
- Nepal’s new constitution in making should be ‘secular,’ church urges (CNS)
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